Friday, November 20, 2009

The Blind Side

Using a little formula I devised that assigns 3 points to a sack allowed, 2 points to a QB hit allowed and 1 for each pressure, here’s a look at how effective the Colts’ offensive players have been at protecting the passer:

1. Although Diem has let 22 opponents behind him, none have managed a sack, while the left tackles (which does not include Federkeil and DeVan, who played one snap apiece at left tackle, but both on running plays) have allowed 31 opponents past them and given up two sacks. I attribute this to Manning’s incredible ability to get the rid of the ball under pressure. As a right handed passer, he can easily see rushers coming from the right side better than the left.

2. I was surprised Pollak scored better than DeVan (although my scale is far from scientific), but Pollak has not been DeVan’s equal on running plays, and has been much more penalty prone.

3. Jamey Richard has yet to play Snap One.

4. Ugoh has been horrible, losing his man on one of every 7.5 pass blocks. But then, Johnson hasn't exactly looked like Tarik Glenn, either.

Thanks for reading and posting, Roy. Ugoh's one of the few people on this Earth blessed with the ability to be a premier NFL left tackle. But the knock on him has always been a less tangible thing. What people have questioned is his dedication to the game, his desire to contribute and his willingness to sacrifice for the good of the team. He had some of that at the start of his career, but now looks like he's just collecting a salary. Can that be changed? I don't know.